Roger Federer was left disappointed and frustrated after exiting the Australian Open at the semifinal stage against Rafael Nadal.

Federer, seeking a fifth title at the year's first grand slam, lost in Melbourne as Nadal dominated much of the match. He was not able to fashion break points on Nadal's serve, while Nadal applied pressure throughout and rarely gave his opponent an easy service game.

Roger Federer (AP Photo)

Despite Nadal's impressive display, Federer was disappointed that he had not been able to impose himself on Friday's semifinal.

Federer was frustrated at "the lack of chances I was able to create on the return," he said after Friday's match. "I thought I was going to get into more of his service games.

"If you get the lead at least in the first or second set, at one point maybe I can also play a bit more freely, do a bit more what I was hoping to do, play a bit more aggressive.

"But like that you kind of always have to keep playing to stay with him, to play the score."

Federer paid tribute to Nadal's consistency and conceded the better man had progressed to Sunday's final against Stanislas Wawrinka.

Nadal "did a good job," Federer said. "He didn't make many errors, even though I was trying to hit hard and flat.

"I tried to play my game. Sometimes I did play very well and sometimes I didn't.

"But he overall was more consistent. He deserved to win. He was better."